Eastbound Interstate 70 near Greenfield turned into a standstill Thursday after a semi caught fire in Hancock County, forcing emergency crews to shut down the highway and an exit ramp while hazmat teams moved in on the smoking wreck.
Traffic quickly stacked up as firefighters worked to knock down the flames, contain spilled cargo and deal with leaking chemicals on the pavement. Drivers in the area were funneled onto detours and told to brace for a long wait.
Officials: Semi Hauling Lithium Batteries Involved
An alert from the Indiana Department of Transportation reported that the burning vehicle was a semi hauling lithium batteries and that corrosive fluid from the load was leaking onto the roadway. That triggered the closure of eastbound I-70 and the eastbound ramp to State Road 9.
Crews remained on scene while hazmat teams evaluated the road surface and the spilled cargo, according to FOX59. Authorities have not released reports of serious injuries.
Traffic Impacts and Detours
Hancock County 911 warned drivers to expect lengthy delays and said westbound traffic would likely reopen before eastbound lanes, in a social post from the county dispatch. See the county post at Hancock County 911 on X.
The Indiana Department of Transportation updated its TrafficWise map with the closure and urged motorists to check 511in.org for alternate routes and live updates while crews worked the scene.
Why Lithium Loads Raise Hazmat Concerns
Lithium batteries can undergo thermal runaway, generating intense heat, smoke and corrosive byproducts that make fires harder to fight and clean up. Because of that risk, responders treat loads like this as hazardous and follow strict protocols.
Federal rules set tight packaging and handling standards for lithium batteries. For details, see U.S. DOT guidance at 49 C.F.R. §173.220, and reporting from the AP on similar big-rig battery fires that have shut down major roadways for extended stretches.
What Happens Next
The cause of the blaze remains under investigation, and crews were working to clear debris and decontaminate the roadway, officials told FOX59. Once hazmat teams secure the load and clean up the spill, INDOT crews are expected to inspect the pavement before reopening lanes.
Drivers planning to pass through the area are urged to keep an eye on INDOT and local dispatch updates and to steer clear of the Mount Comfort and State Road 9 area until the scene is fully cleared. For live traffic conditions, check TrafficWise or county social channels.
